LANSING - The music was soulful and the information was taken straight to the heart Saturday at the Gier Community Center.
Participants at the Heart of Our Heritage Health Fair - an event that inform blacks of the risks faced by their community - were entertained by live performers at the community center, 2400 Hall St. in Lansing.
“We want to do something for the community; if someone is sick we want to help them out,” said Jay Price, a co-founder and sponsor of the event. “Our hope is we can help some people with finding care that they couldn’t afford.”
Booths from the American Heart Association, Ingham County Health Department, the Arthritis Foundation and others offered advice, treatment options, sample products and healthy snacks.
Price said the idea for the fair came when he realized blacks are at greater risk in the United States for AIDS, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases.
February was chosen for the event because the month allows for the combination of Black History Month and the American Heart Association’s Heart Month, Price said.
Price hopes bringing additional information to the community will help combat the statistics.
Health screenings provided by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine were aimed at determining those at immediate risk.
“This is a very good way for the Lansing community to culminate Black History Month,” Price said.
Lansing resident Tyrone Ingram, 37, said the health fair was held at the right time of the year. Ingram is about to make an appointment for his annual physical, and will have new information to discuss with his doctor.
“I am just hungry for information. I like to hear about preventative medicine,” he said.
One of the most visited booths contained healthy snacks such as plump strawberries, yellow and green melons, yogurt, small cups of juice and sliced bagels served with cream cheese.
Lansing resident Betty Allen, 40, shared some fresh baby carrots with a creamy dipping sauce with her grandson, Ajovi.
She said the food was tasty, but the information was more fulfilling.
“A lot of young people don’t care about their health but I have been noticing the different diseases that they are at risk for,” she said.
Allen said she will bring the information back for family members who may not realize their risks.
Karen Martin, home economist from the Ingham County MSU Extension, talked to fair participants about the importance of a healthy breakfast, something she said many college students lack.
While aromas of browning turkey ham surrounded Martin, she offered samples of sweet orange-flavored breakfast smoothies and cereal bars, which are healthy options to incorporate into a breakfast.
“When they eat breakfast, kids are more alert and there are fewer complaints about headaches and stomachaches,” Martin said. “You have to have energy to fuel what is going on in your brain.”
